Sunday, June 20, 2010

This morning the City to hold Press Conference and Tour of Dunwoody Parks

Event Coincides with official turnover of Dunwoody Parks

WHAT: Tour of the Dunwoody Parks and Press Conference to discuss parks and unveil new park signage. Conference will be held at Brook Run Park. Press is invited to participate in the tour. Dunwoody City Council and Staff will announce official turnover of Dunwoody Parks. City staff and new Parks and Recreation Manager to discuss plans for Dunwoody Parks.

I have heard and forwarded another complaint to the city regarding this specific sign causing a sight line problem and it will be reviewed. I believe these are just temporary signs in place until which time the branding campaign is done and a formal city sign platform is created.

Seven former DeKalb County parks became Dunwoody property last month, as city officials marked the 165-acre handover by pledging to make several improvements.

Mayor Ken Wright, one of several officials who toured the parks last week, called it an “exciting day” for Dunwoody. “We’re officially in charge of our parks,” he said.

Fixing run-down buildings and defunct amenities are now on the new owners’ to-do list.

In an e-mail to The Champion, Dunwoody Councilmember John Heneghan, who lives near Brook Run Park, further outlined short- and long-term visions for the green space, which include playgrounds, skate parks and dog runs.

“Public safety is my first priority for the Dunwoody parks, whereby the city is doing a full assessment of the facilities and making a punch list of immediate repairs that need to be done.

“Namely locking up the dilapidated buildings at Brook Run, inspecting all playground equipment and restrooms, and then making repairs to the broken facilities like the drinking fountains that were inoperable,” he said.

Several residents have complained that parks were in constant disrepair while under DeKalb County control.

“I would like to see additional benches placed in the parks where they are sorely needed and other cost effective short-term improvements that will have a direct improvement on the quality of enjoyment of those visiting the facilities,” said Heneghan. “After all of that, a City Parks Master Plan and needs assessment needs to be done to see what the community wants us to do next.”

The ongoing process of transferring ownership has strained city and county relations. A March ruling by the Georgia Assembly gave Dunwoody the right to buy land at $100 per acre.

DeKalb officials lobbied for a deal closer to “fair market value,” seeking to recoup maintenance expenses. However, there has been no indication whether the county will take further legal action.

The dispute mirrored an earlier battle between Sandy Springs and Fulton County, with the Georgia Assembly ruling in the city’s favor.

Dunwoody will also receive a $7.5 million bond–funds earmarked for parks maintenance. Wright said this will go toward funding a strategic parks master plan catering to public input.

The city has hired a new parks and recreation manager, Brent Walker, whose appointment was announced the same day Dunwoody assumed ownership of the parks.

“Walker has had a strong record of achievement over the course of his career. He possesses a commitment to not only meet the high expectations of our citizens, but exceed them,” said City Manager Warren Hutmacher, in a press release. “We are thrilled to have him join the Dunwoody team and look forward to developing first-rate parks and recreation in the coming years.”

Heneghan Philosophy on Public Service

As a long time resident of the Dunwoody North community who created this blog to fulfill two ideals. First is that when I have the ability to make a difference, I have a responsibility to do so and second, transparency in Government breeds self-corrective behavior.

After the creation of the City of Dunwoody which I worked to establish, I stepped down from being the President of the Dunwoody North Civic Association to run for a seat on the new City Council. Since my election in 2008, I have prided myself of posting every public document and agenda item to this blog for all to see.